NASHVILLE – Keith Bulluck wore the No.53 well for the Titans for 10 seasons, doing so with athleticism, enthusiasm and a relentless approach to reach greatness.
On stage at the NFL Draft in Green Bay, it was Bulluck who called Oluwafemi Oladejo's name when announcing the second-round pick of the Titans.
So, it seemed almost fitting when Oladejo took the field wearing Bulluck's old number in Tennessee.
Now, Oladejo is on his own quest to reach greatness.
Just a few weeks into his own NFL journey, Oladejo has already displayed plenty of athleticism and enthusiasm on the practice field himself, just like Bulluck did playing linebacker from 2000-09 in Tennessee, where he earned All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors, and eventually a spot into the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame.
But Oladejo is going to have to put in the work to settle in and excel, and he knows it. He's still adjusting to playing on the edge, after making the transition in college.
This much is pretty certain: He'll be doing it with a smile.
"I would say as a kid, I was always the extrovert, leading chants," a smiling Oladejo said after rookie minicamp. "I think it is just who I am, and I try and impact players in a positive way."
Oladejo's common response when asked how he's doing: "Can't complain. It's a great day to be a Titan."
The Titans picked Oladejo, who played at UCLA, with the 52nd overall pick of the NFL Draft.
The 6-foot-3, 259-pounder sure looks the part with his size – during rookie minicamp, Oladejo flew through drills with teammates, and he was physical hitting the sled, or practice dummies.
Oladejo tallied 57 tackles, 13.5 tackles for a loss, 4.5 sacks and six quarterback hurries for the Bruins in 2024, when he started all 12 games. He earned the Kenny Clark Award for the most outstanding defensive lineman at a year-end team banquet.
This came following a season when he began focusing on a new position, playing at outside linebacker. In Tennessee, Oladejo said he's focusing on improving his hand placement, and knowing what to expect from tackles in the NFL by the way they line up across from him.
"Right now, I'm just focusing on continuing to be a better pass rusher," Oladejo said. "(Setting) the edge, playing football, and (I want to) help the team win.
"I have learned a lot of the basics of playing edge, but there's a lot to improve on. I feel good, but I'm not satisfied."
In four college seasons, Oladejo started 27 of 46 games while playing at UCLA (2023 and 2024) and California (2021 and 2022) and he recorded 238 total tackles (120-118-238), 20.5 tackles for loss, six sacks, one forced fumble and three fumbles recovered across his collegiate career.
Oladejo was invited to the Senior Bowl, where he was among the week's standouts.
He made a 30-visit to Tennessee during the pre-draft process.
"Femi is a tough, physical kid that really just started playing outside backer the fourth game of the season this year – he was playing MIKE before," Titans General Manager Mike Borgonzi said after Oladejo was picked. "So, he is developing as a pass rusher, so I think he has a lot of upside there as well. But I tell you what, he can set the edge, is physical, is violent and the kid loves football, too – that was a big part of it."
Oladejo began practicing with the veterans this week, something he'd been looking forward to.
He wants to learn from them, and make the team better.
He's just getting started.
"I'm very excited, being to be with the vets, getting under their wing," he said. "I want be a great teammate."
